Poll: Concerns over media bias top worries over big money in politics

You would think that with all the blather from Democrats about the Koch Brothers, Citizens United, and "dark money" in politics, voters would fear the influence of big money more than anything else. But a new Rasmussen poll discovered that voters are actually more concerned about media bias.

Rasmussen Reports found that when asked "Which is the bigger problem in politics today," voters picked media bias over money, 47 percent to 45 percent.

What's more, the survey found that voters believe that the media has too much power in politics. Some 66 percent said it was too powerful, compared to just 26 percent who said the media wielded just enough influence in the election.

"Middle-aged voters tend to believe more strongly than other voters that the media have too much influence over elections," said the poll analysis.

Voters do generally agree that rich Americans and wealthy special interests also have too much power in politics, said Rasmussen.

From the polling outfit:

Seventy-six percent (76%) of Likely U.S. Voters believe the wealthiest individuals and companies have too much influence over elections, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Just four percent (4%) say wealthy individuals and companies have too little political influence, while 16% say their level of influence is about right.

Even more voters (80%) agree that wealthy special interest groups have too much power and influence over elections. Only three percent (3%) say they have too little influence, while 14% say the amount of influence wealthy special interests have is about right.

The American people aren't stupid and know full well that the rich are dominating politics. But it's interesting that more people are concerned about media bias than money in politics. Bias threatens liberty more than money. Just look at Jeb Bush and Hillary Clinton, the two biggest spenders of the campaign. Both are in trouble. Bush is likely to be out of the race after the South Carolina primary after having spent north of $100 million – far more than any other GOP candidate. What does that say about the "influence" of big money on politics?

More to the point, media bias is insidious and subtly alters people's perceptions of candidates and issues – almost always in favor of liberals. Given a choice, I would much rather have a level media playing field and candidates like Jeb Bush spending money like a drunken sailor. In the end, all the money in the world can't hide a candidate's defects.

You would think that with all the blather from Democrats about the Koch Brothers, Citizens United, and "dark money" in politics, voters would fear the influence of big money more than anything else. But a new Rasmussen poll discovered that voters are actually more concerned about media bias.

Rasmussen Reports found that when asked "Which is the bigger problem in politics today," voters picked media bias over money, 47 percent to 45 percent.

What's more, the survey found that voters believe that the media has too much power in politics. Some 66 percent said it was too powerful, compared to just 26 percent who said the media wielded just enough influence in the election.

"Middle-aged voters tend to believe more strongly than other voters that the media have too much influence over elections," said the poll analysis.

Voters do generally agree that rich Americans and wealthy special interests also have too much power in politics, said Rasmussen.

From the polling outfit:

Seventy-six percent (76%) of Likely U.S. Voters believe the wealthiest individuals and companies have too much influence over elections, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Just four percent (4%) say wealthy individuals and companies have too little political influence, while 16% say their level of influence is about right.

Even more voters (80%) agree that wealthy special interest groups have too much power and influence over elections. Only three percent (3%) say they have too little influence, while 14% say the amount of influence wealthy special interests have is about right.

The American people aren't stupid and know full well that the rich are dominating politics. But it's interesting that more people are concerned about media bias than money in politics. Bias threatens liberty more than money. Just look at Jeb Bush and Hillary Clinton, the two biggest spenders of the campaign. Both are in trouble. Bush is likely to be out of the race after the South Carolina primary after having spent north of $100 million – far more than any other GOP candidate. What does that say about the "influence" of big money on politics?

More to the point, media bias is insidious and subtly alters people's perceptions of candidates and issues – almost always in favor of liberals. Given a choice, I would much rather have a level media playing field and candidates like Jeb Bush spending money like a drunken sailor. In the end, all the money in the world can't hide a candidate's defects.